Stunning No-Lo Drinks For Summer

No or Low alcohol drinks are improving every year, whether that’s replicating what we know and love about their boozy counterparts, or trailblazing their own unique path.

These refreshing summer sippers feel nothing like a compromise and everything like a treat, with many of them even containing benefit-rich properties that are not only delicious, but also leave you feeling reinvigorated in the sunshine! Say goodbye to the hangover with these expertly made beauties!

The Best No-Lo WINE

Oddbird Rosé

Oddbird’s reputation for quality alcohol-free wine precedes them, with a diverse sparkling and still range. Not only is their focus on quality, but also a commitment to sustainability and environmental production which we always applaud. Their rosé is a superbly balanced blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Languedoc-Roussillon aged for a year. The notes of strawberry feel lovely and fresh, the fizz is perfect and crucially, it isn’t overly sweet.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 0%      
Find here: £9.99 (usually more!)

Wild Life Botanicals – Blush & Nude

We can’t split these two fizzy beauties so we’re including both. The white (Nude) and the rosé (Blush) are equally dreamy, with each glass containing 15% of your recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals! An evening drinking these and not only will you not feel sluggish (they’re under 0.5% ABV), but you will also feel refreshed! The pair are immensely refreshing, infused with all kinds of benefit-rich herbs and flavours such as lemon balm, rosemary, ashwagandha and damask rose. Surprisingly complex, incredibly refreshing, subtly sweet, and charmingly packaged – the perfect summer sipper.

Size: 750ml
ABV: <0.5%
Find here: £16

The Best No-Lo COCKTAILS

Belvoir Farm Non-Alcoholic Peach Bellini

We love Belvoir for their beautifully packaged fizzes and cordials, but have you tried their No/Lo cocktails? They’ve mastered that fresh feel with their J&T and Passionfruit Martini, but their Peach Bellini is flawless, with two great taste awards stars to back it up. Real juicy peaches meet with sweet grape juice in this delicious mix that is made to be poured over plenty of ice on a hot summer’s day.

Size: 750ml                                          
ABV: 0%
Find here: £3.25

The Best No-Lo ALE

Days Pale Ale

Wonderfully bright and refreshing not just in colour but also taste, Days Alcohol-Free Pale Ale scooped a Gold at the World Alcoholic-Free Awards. Up front with its hopps flavour, tropical overtones and clean grapefruit offset it nicely for a super satisfying pale ale.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £25 12 x 330ml

The Best No-Lo APERITIF

Mother Root Marmalade Switchel

We’ve sung the praises of Mother Root’s Ginger Switchel before, but they’ve now got a new flavour – marmalade! Mother Root is all about flavoursome and reinvigorating non-alcoholic aperitif, using apple cider vinegar and fresh ingredients in their innovative blends. Bright and bitter Seville orange sits at the centre of this, with aromatic cardamom, zippy apple cider and earthy green tea all in perfect harmony. Perfectly paired with a light tonic (to let the flavours shine) and a big slice of orange or grapefruit wedge.

Size: 480ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £28

Three Spirit The Nightcap

Three Spirit produce three plant-based alcohol alternatives, with botanicals to match different occasions. Each beautifully packaged, there is Social Elixir, Livener, and today’s shout-out – The Nightcap. With lemon balm, valerian, hops, ashwagandha (Indian/African shrub) and white willow bark, pure alchemy creates flavours of vanilla, peppery wood and spice, as well syrupy treacle tart and toasted nuts. There are some similarities to whisky, but this is very much its own thing and it’s an absolute vegan delight.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 0%
Find here: £23.95 (usually more!)

The Best CBD No-Lo Drink

INTUNE Elderflower & Hops

We love drinking INTUNE for its all-natural CBD soft drink style. The touch of sweetness is just right in this floral Elderflower spritz style can with a hint of apple and rose blossom. It’s well worth checking out their full range because the standard is sky high, but this 10mg CBD Elderflower is a winning place to start leaving you feeling refreshed and relaxed.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0%
CBD: 10mg
Find here: £25.95 12 x 250ml

If you love exploring new No/Lo drinks but haven’t ventured into trying CBD drinks yet, then check out 8 of the best here.

Delicious No and Low Canned Drinks

Written by Helena & Aidy

Drinks in cans are set to be the big trend this summer as outdoor socialising will be the thing with the winding up of lockdown and local picnics will be the order of the day. Here are some great no and low canned drinks that we’ve discovered recently, from alcohol free, to CBD and even some good, old fashioned beer. Your favourite not on the list? Let us know! 

Hard Seltzers

Berczy Hard Seltzer, Passionfruit & Turmeric

Berczy was created by three friends who all wanted to create something delicious that would always use 100% natural ingredients, be low in calories and sugar and be made sustainably.  The result is a range of really delicious, fruity and natural tasting drinks. We particularly love the Passionfruit & Tumeric.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 4%
Find here: £14.95 for 6

Luv Jus

Low-alcohol hard seltzers have become a bit of a thing lately but LuvJus being anything but basic has decided to put an evolutionary spin on the category. This LGBTQ+ venture offers two super refreshing flavours with a kick of personality; Bloody Orange & Pomegranate and Pineapple & Mint. The best part? A portion of profits from each and every can goes right back into supporting a variety of LGBTQIA charities and making a real difference. Drink well, support those in need, kinda sounds like a win/win to me. These beauties are PERFECT for picnic drinking or to wind down at the end of a long day. Only 4.8% alcohol and a fraction of the calories. Oo la la, baby.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 4.8%
Find here: £14.95 for 6



Mixed Drinks

Austin’s Summer Punch Lemonade

ALDI’s answer to Pimms has gone down very well with its customers (and us!) offering a very similar flavour profile to what would be a Pimms and lemonade. Pour over ice with a bit of fruit and cucumber for an even more authentic experience, even from a plastic glass in the park!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5.4%
Find here: (and in store) for 85p!!!

Aperini Italian Style Spritz

Again, this is ALDI doing what ALDI does best and offering products very similar to ones we know and love. This is your Aperol Spritz in a can and we have to say, they’ve done a great job, with that quintessential tangy bitter orange flavour and the balance of booze with bubbles being spot on. Drink well chilled for a fabulous picnic tipple.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5%
Find here: (and in store) for 85p!!!

CleanCo Clean G & Tonic

Encouraged by the massive growth in the market for hard seltzers, TV personality and entrepreneur Spencer Matthews originally founded CleanGin and has just launched his canned range, including CleanRum & Cola and Clean G&T. While the ‘clean’ is always slightly misleading when it comes to drinks, at 0.5% alcohol, these feel like a decent alternative to a traditional hard seltzer, with just 0.5% alcohol and a low calorie count to boot. 

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0.5%
Find here: £11.94 for 6

Strykk Not G*n & Tonic and Not R*m & Cola

These Strykk cans are another great example of a zero alcohol alternative to your regular G&T and Rum & Cola. They work as perfect picnic accompaniment or a great sip when you want to taste something good but don’t want the alcohol. Aside from tasting great, they are 100% natural with no sugar or artificial flavours, vegan, gluten free and low calorie so really there’s really nothing not to like!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 0.5%
Find here: £12 for 6

Bloody Drinks Bloody Classic

Bloody Drinks have hit the nail on the head with their perfectly balanced Bloody Classic. The balance of ingredients means each can has just the right amount of spice and is packed full of delicious flavour. As if that wasn’t enough, you can now get your hands on ‘The Bloody Box’ which contains everything you need to make the perfect Bloody Mary, garnishes and all, and is bound to wow your garden party guests! They’re bloody fantastic if you ask us!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 6.3%
Find here: £19 for 6

INTUNE CBD Drinks & Mixers

INTUNE make all-natural, delicious CBD soft drinks and mixers, but we’ve been drinking the mixers by themselves as they are so lovely. Full of flavour and not overly sweet, these are all classy, CBD soft drinks in their own right with a punch 10mg of CBD in the ‘originals’ and 5mg in the mixers.  We particularly loved the pomegranate and hops CBD drinks and the ginger mixer. Moreish and yummy. 

Size: 200/250ml
CBD: 10mg or 5mg
Find here: £29.99 for 12

Beer

Adnams Earl Grey Lager

There’s something about Earl Grey and its characteristic bergamot flavour that works brilliantly with this lager’s citrussy, Galaxy beer hops. Adnams have smashed it with this fabulous lager. The tannins from both the tea and the hops are well balanced and the result is a gloriously crisp and refreshing, flavourful drink that’s light on its feet and easy to love. I’d take this with my afternoon tea any day. 

Size: 330ml
ABV: 5%
Find here: £19.99 for 12

Adnams Dry Hopped Lager

Here’s a lager for foodies. Brewed with Pilsner malt with Australian, Galaxy hops, here’s a rich and fruity lager with layers of hoppy, malty and tropical fruit notes that is crisp with a bitter finish, preventing it from being cloying in any way. Adnams say it would make a great match for spicy food and we are looking forward to finding out.

Size: 330ml
ABV: 3.2%
Find here: £24.99 for 12

Looking for even more canned drinks? Then we’ve got more yummy treats for you here: 5 Cracking Canned Drinks. If it’s no and low you’re after though, head over to 6 Must-Try No and Low Drinks!

What is CBD and How Can it Help?

What is CBD

CBD has taken the world by storm over the past 2 years and continues to evolve. People have sworn by it for decades, but it’s now at a point where it has become more readily available to purchase than ever before. 

The science backs it up too, with countless studies showcasing that it genuinely does reduce the symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress when integrated as a part of one’s lifestyle. 

CBD versus THC

Despite all the hype, CBD is still a relatively new idea to many people, so it’s not surprising there’s quite a bit of confusion around it. The two things people have heard of are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol ) and CBD (cannabidiol). Both are molecules within the Cannabis plant, but do different things. 

They are both referred to as phytocannabinoids, but THC gives you psychoactive effects where as CBD does not. Many people assume because they both derive from the same plant they have the same affects, but this isn’t true. As they interact with different parts of the brain, they have vastly differing affects. 

THC gives you a sense of high by binding to cannabinoid receptors within our endocannabinoid system (a crucial part of our nervous system). While CBD doesn’t bind directly bind to cannabinoid receptors, it is said to boost levels of naturally occurring endocannabinoids – which is why it has such a wide range of uses. It’s also proven to interact with our serotonin and opiod receptors, which is why it is so effective. 

AS CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system, it has an affect on a variety of functions:

•  Digestion

•  Metabolism

• Mood

• Memory

• Sleep

• Motor control

• Pain perception

• Immune function

Reduces Stress

On average, 18% of the population report feeling some form of anxiety. Remember that’s just the people who actually report it. You then take into account the global happenings over the latest year and begin to realize that a huge population of the world will likely be suffering some form of stress. Countless studies continue to showcase the positive effects CBD has on reducing the symptoms of anxiety, which is why in my mind it is more important to discover this now than ever before. 

Reduce Pain

Many of us have been sitting at the same desk, in the same chair for almost 12 months now. Shoddy posture leads to back pain which really isn’t a pleasant thing to have to go through on top of everything else. CBD has a track record of working with our brain to reduce the pain we experience. 

Aiding Sleep

CBD has been proven across a multitude of studies to inhibit calmness, which is perfect for people who are struggling to drift off. There’s so many different products on the market right now from pillow sprays to sleep drops and beyond. 

Skin Care

Many people suffer from skin conditions such as dermatitis and acne and as we find ourselves in stressful situations, these can flare up. CBD has showcased a strong correlation in helping to reduce these symptoms. With acne for example, it greatly reduces the amount of sebum created alongside calming inflammation (two massive triggers of acne). 

Increase Your Sex Life

Next up I’m going to talk about sex. And you know what, I’m not afraid to. Having great sex on a regular basis is proven to reduce stress and keep you happier. For those singletons amongst us, our sex lives haven’t been the most eventful over the past year. Even partners have struggled to find the time between home schooling, entertaining kids, working and finding that ‘special time together’ being stripped away given the stress or being together every waking minute. 

So if you have been finding your mojo has deflated or that you’re not as easily able to hit that big O (yes, I am referring to an orgasm), then CBD may be the answer. 

Using CBD infused lubricants increases the blood flow, making our nerve endings more sensitive, the result of which came be a much more sensual orgasm. 

How can you buy CBD?

There are so many ways you can purchase from capsules, oil and tongue sprays to sleep drops, wrist rolls, seltzers, bitters and more. We really are at the infancy of CBD discovery. Stay tuned as we put together a variety of ‘best product’ lists on this topic soon. 

In the meantime, check out some of these sites for CBD inspiration:

www.OTOcbd.com

www.hollandandbarrett.com

www.canabidol.com

The Best No-Low Alcohol To Drink and Gift for Christmas

With Lockdown 2 moving seamlessly into Christmas, the period of extended drinking just got a whole lot bigger! We find that having a stash of genuinely delicious, no and low alcohol drinks in the fridge make it much easier to take breaks and have nights off from the booze, while still feeling like you’re treating yourself. Here are the no and low drinks we’ve fallen in love with this year. 

Caleño Dark & Spicy

Fresh to the market is Caleño’s new baby: Dark & Spicy! We adored the original, with its infusions of inca berry and juniper - a perfect gin alternative perhaps, though very much of its own style. This new version does the same for lovers of dark rum. Think of riper, tropical notes of pineapple with a kick of ginger, vanilla pod and a twist of lime. They’ve nailed it!

Size: 50cl
Gifting: Various delicious gift bundles available
Find here: Bottle £18

Small Beer

The Small Beer Brew Co. are going strength to strength with their low alcohol beers that are good for you (being under 3% and isotonic) and good for the planet. Given what could end up being a marathon of drinking over the next two months, wouldn't it be good to have a stash of these lower alcohol beers in the fridge? 

ABV: Under 2.8%
Gifting: For a limited time from now until 20th Dec, they are also offering a 6-month gift subscription, complete with brilliant videos and a gift pouch for under the tree!
Find here

OTO CBD Drinks

Meaning 'sound' in Japanese, OTO feel they represent ‘the space between sound and silence’. These are subtly flavoured soft drinks that promote focus, relaxation and balance throughout the day and into the night. Each drink contains 25mg CBD, which is proven to promote balance within the body, which ultimately keeps our bodies functioning properly and helps us get more sleep. 

ABV: 0%
Gifting: Discovery 3 packs available along with lots of other gorgeous CBD products
Find here: Currently on offer at £8.25 for 3 (usually £11)

Saicho Tea

Saicho is a brand new sparkling cold-brewed tea brand that comes in a range of three sparkling teas; Jasmine, Darjeeling and Hojicha. Made sparkling with a hint of sweetness, this has more of a distinctive tea flavour than Fortnum’s sparkling tea below and is a great sparkling wine alternative for fine tea lovers. 

ABV: 0%
Gifting: Luxury gifting box and selection boxes available.
Find here: £7.99

Mooze low alcohol low calorie Gin - 12% ABV

A great concept from founder Mel Sims, this is a much lower alcohol (and therefore calorie) gin than the usual suspects of around 40% ABV. It does a great job at keeping the mouthfeel, crispness and botanical flavour of a full proof gin too and is a perfect way to be a little more mindful about your consumption. It’s also vegan, sugar and sweetener free so all in all, that’s 36 calories for a double Mooze & Tonic compared to 154 for a regular double G&T plus less of a hangover. Win-win.

Size: 70cl Mooze alt gin
ABV: 12%
Gift idea: Can be sent to your recipient without pricing.
Find here: £24

Fortnum’s Sparkling Tea

We talked about how much we loved Fornum’s sparkling rosé tea here and in our podcast, so it was great to get to try the white! Certified organic and a blend of eight teas, this version is subtle, fragrant and elegant with both tropical notes and more darjeeling-like tea flavours. Totally refreshing! It’s worth noting that this sparkling tea contains 150mg of caffeine per litre.

ABV: 0%
Size: 75cl
Find here: £16.95 

Gibsons Goodology CBD Drinks

Gibson’s Goodology is an exciting new entry in the wellness market with their palate-pleasing drink with superior CBD quality. Created by award-winning, London-based mixologist Oskar Kinberg and renowned tea expert Stefan Gieschke, these drinks are already making waves on the CBD scene with their original flavours: Shiso Tea and Blueberry, Green Tea and Passionfruit and Jasmine Tea and Rhubarb.

ABV: 0%
Gifting: Available in packs of 3 and packs of 6.
Find here: £14.99 for 3

Aecorn Aromatic

The three Aecorn drinks could be described as aperitifs and are made with wine grapes (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay). They are more silky and full-bodied than wine and you can drink them neat, chilled or with a splash of sparkling water as a spritzer. The most wine-like (and my favourite) is the ‘aromatic’, which is warm, woody and smoky. They also have a ‘bitter’, which reminds us of Campari and a ‘dry’, which is more for Sauvignon Blanc or Gin lovers.

ABV: 0%
Size: 50cl
Find here: £19.99

Three Spirit

There is no category to put these in, but I love them. Three styles of plant-based alternatives to alcohol with a different attitude, that, as they say ‘celebrates what you put into a drink, rather than what you take out.’ Using plants traditionally used in potions and ceremonies around the world, these are non-alcoholic drinks 'with benefits’ such as the addition of ashwagandha to relax in Nightcap or guayusa, guava leaf and green tea in Livener. It’s alchemy, it’s different and it’s delicious. You’ll want to keep the bottles too as they’re so pretty!

ABV: 0%
Gifting: Triple bottle gift packs available.
Find here: £24.99

Lucky Saint Beer

This is a bubbly beer that actually tastes like a fully fledged, flavoursome full-alcohol beer. In a slow and meticulous process, Lucky Saint delicately extracts the fermentable sugars from the mash as temperatures increase and leave it unfiltered to keep all the flavour and complexity. The beer is then distilled in a vacuum, which avoids the burnt and oxidised flavours many other non alcoholic beers have. I tested it with a bunch of beer drinkers and we all thought it was the best ‘ non-alcoholic’ beer we’ve tried (0.5% is considered to be alcohol-free). Now available on draught too.

ABV: 0.5%
Gifting: Find it in boxes of 4 or 48. 
Find here: £25 for 12 x 300ml

Brancott Estate Flight - Low Alcohol Sauvignon Blanc

Sitting at an ABV of 9% as opposed to 13 - 13.5%, this wine is lighter on the alcohol and therefore lighter on the calories that other Sauvignon Blancs. Made with grapes that are harvested earlier than usual before all their sugars develop, it is crisp, lean and clean but still packs the flavour punch you would expect from Sauvignon. Try it with goats cheese, salads and smoked salmon.

ABV: 9%
Find at most supermarkets for £7. Here’s Sainsburys.

Bax Botanics - Alcohol-free spirits

New to the market, this sustainable, Yorkshire-based company distills plants along with other botanicals to create an aromatic, clear non-spirit with lots of flavour that can simply be served with ice and a slice. We love the herbaceous verbena and the quirky sea buckthorn which has a fresh rosemary and orange citrus vibe. Lovely packaging too and apparently, it’s made with waste sugar cane!

ABV: 0%
Size: 70cl
Find them here and here.

Looking for more Christmas wine and spirits inspiration? Then take a look at these guides: wine, gin, vodka.